This really is a great dichotomy of what the history was. While being entertaining, it can be deadly without the safety that the modern tech has brought. Racing wasn't just glory but it was full of death and really was all about glory, almost like gladiator battles, laying all on the line for victory.
It really reminds me of deaths like Jim Clark, Dale Earnhardt, and even Ken Miles.
It showed humanity passing the limits of science and exceeding, but also destroying themselves by doing so.
The main point:
"The race for being number 1 and losing human dignity, or to lose and keep it."